Anduril’s Barracuda-M missile family has completed an independent US Air Force evaluation confirming compliance with the Weapon Open System Architecture standard. The four-day test was carried out by MOATEL under the Air Force Research Laboratory, making Barracuda the first weapon in large-scale production to pass this WOSA verification. The assessment examined 14 separate architecture areas covering critical systems such as the seeker, navigation equipment, GPS, inertial measurement unit, propulsion, air-data sensors, autopilot, guidance, airframe control, and the Munitions Data Bus. According to Anduril, testing also showed that the weapon could operate with both the company’s own and an external Munitions Data Bus implementation. WOSA is designed to reduce dependence on proprietary interfaces by establishing common technical standards. This approach can make it easier for defense programs to replace individual components, introduce new technologies, and integrate equipment supplied by different companies. Barracuda has been designed around affordability and scalable manufacturing, with Anduril developing multiple versions for different operational requirements. Production is already underway, while the first deliveries to customers are expected in early 2027. The verification is significant because WOSA compliance is independently assessed rather than simply claimed by a manufacturer. AFRL has previously applied the architecture to other weapon initiatives, including QUICKSINK, demonstrating the wider US Air Force effort to introduce modularity into future weapons.
